Dictionary
government
noun, gov·ern·ment often attributive \ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt, -və-mənt; ˈgə-bəm-ənt, -vəm-\
: the group of people who control and make decisions for a country, state, etc.
: a particular system used for controlling a country, state, etc.
: the process or manner of controlling a country, state, etc.
Full Definition of GOVERNMENT
1
: the act or process of governing; specifically : authoritative direction or control
2
obsolete : moral conduct or behavior : discretion
3
a : the office, authority, or function of governing b obsolete : the term during which a governing official holds office
4
: the continuous exercise of authority over and the performance of functions for a political unit : rule
5
a : the organization, machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises authority and performs functions and which is usually classified according to the distribution of power within it b : the complex of political institutions, laws, and customs through which the function of governing is carried out
6
: the body of persons that constitutes the governing authority of a political unit or organization: as a : the officials comprising the governing body of a political unit and constituting the organization as an active agency b capitalized : the executive branch of the United States federal government c capitalized : a small group of persons holding simultaneously the principal political executive offices of a nation or other political unit and being responsible for the direction and supervision of public affairs: (1) : such a group in a parliamentary system constituted by the cabinet or by the ministry (2) : administration 4b
7
— gov·ern·men·tal \ˌgə-vər(n)-ˈmen-təl\ adjective
— gov·ern·men·tal·ize \-tə-ˌlīz\ transitive verb
— gov·ern·men·tal·ly \-təl-ē\ adverb
See government defined for English-language learners
See government defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of GOVERNMENT
14th century
Related to GOVERNMENT
- Synonyms
- administration, authority, governance, rule, jurisdiction, regime (also régime), regimen
Other Government and Politics Terms
GOVERNMENTALLY Defined for Kids
government
noun gov·ern·ment \ˈgə-vərn-mənt, -vər-mənt\
Definition of GOVERNMENT for Kids
1
: control and direction of public business (as of a city or a nation) <The mayor makes decisions regarding the government of city departments.>
2
: a system of control : an established form of political rule <a democratic government>
3
: the people making up a governing body <Their governments are committed to peace.>
— gov·ern·men·tal \ˌgə-vərn-ˈmen-t-əl, -vər-ˈmen-təl\ adjective
Learn More About GOVERNMENT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: governmental atonementPrevious Word in the Dictionary: governlessAll Words Near: government
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up government? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).